Children’s services in Spain: a study of the organisation and implementation of children’s services in three regions in response to European recommendations

2016 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 300-316
Author(s):  
Almudena Moreno ◽  
Alfonso Lara Montero
Keyword(s):  
Social Services ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Monitoring And Evaluation ◽  
Children's Services ◽  
Policy And Practice ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Outcomes Evaluation ◽  
Children’S Services ◽  
Outcomes For Children ◽  
Laws And Policies

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to map the current organisation and implementation of children’s services in three regions of Spain, to identify strengths and gaps and to suggest proposals for improvement in line with European recommendations. Design/methodology/approach Spain features a decentralised approach when it comes to the organisation of children’s services. This means that relevant themes for children’s services refer to decentralised policies, which diverge within the regions in the country and therefore to illustrate this the authors focus on three specific regions. The study used an exploratory case study design and relied on qualitative methods, including the answers to open questionnaires provided by senior civil servants at key regional child welfare agencies, children’s services directors and service providers. Findings The main finding from the review of the legislation and the answers to the questionnaires is that public social services still follow an assistance logic rather than a social investment approach in regards to children’s services. Although a significant development of laws and policies has taken place, ensuring the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of programmes and services for children remains a challenge. Research limitations/implications The answers provided by the respondents may be subject to limitations imposed by the agencies for which they work. A general disadvantage of qualitative research is the use of subjective criteria to interpret the relevance of the results. The study was further challenged by differences across regions when it comes to their legal and policy frameworks, development of provisions and implementation and outcomes’ evaluation. Practical implications The findings could be used to assess the state of play in regards to children’s services across the regions studied and beyond with a focus on children being placed at the centre of public services’ intervention, using a comprehensive approach and promoting critical thinking and reflective practice. Social implications The three selected case studies provide additional insight into policy and legal developments, implementation and evaluation of activities and efforts to improve policy and practice in children’s services. Originality/value This paper contributes to the evaluation of the current situation of children’s services in Spain from a decentralised perspective with the aim to facilitate changes to improve planning, implementation and evaluation of children’s services and secure better outcomes for children.

A practice framework to support the Care Act 2014

2016 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 53-64 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tony Stanley
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Social Care ◽  
Children's Services ◽  
Policy And Practice ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Signs Of Safety ◽  
Personal Approach ◽  
Children’S Services ◽  
Practice Framework ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to discuss how the signs of safety and wellbeing practice framework offers a practical and logical reinforcement for the Making Safeguarding Personal programme within the practice context of the Care Act. The new practice framework orientates safeguarding practice to be person led and person centred while reinforcing an outcomes focus. Design/methodology/approach – The principal social worker co-led the design and pilot programme where the new practice framework was developed and trialled. Findings – A practice framework that houses the policy and practice updates needed to deliver the Care Act and Making Safeguarding Personal agenda is logical and necessary for the practitioners. An outcomes focus is encouraged because safeguarding practice is goal orientated and outcome focused. Practical implications – A debate about how practice frameworks can help achieve the Making Safeguarding Personal approach and deliver on the Care Act principles is offered. This is a new and important debate for adult social care; a debate well-established across children’s services. Originality/value – A debate about how practice frameworks can help achieve the Making Safeguarding Personal approach and deliver on the Care Act principles is offered. This is a new and important debate for adult social care; a debate well-established across children’s services.

scholarly journals Safeguarding Adults Reviews: Prompting practice and policy

2017 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 23-32
Author(s):  
Jill Manthorpe ◽  
Stephen Martineau
Keyword(s):  
Review Process ◽  
Research Programme ◽  
User Group ◽  
Children's Services ◽  
Policy And Practice ◽  
Practice Analysis ◽  
Children’S Services ◽  
The Many ◽  
Practice Development

Abstract: As a whole there was remarkably little controversy in England over the Care Act 2014, once debates over funding caps had been kicked into the long grass. After all, who could oppose the idea of better information, clearer entitlements, and more support for carers? Among the non-contentious areas were specific proposals for Serious Case Reviews (SCRs) to become Safeguarding Adults Reviews (SARs). In light of the many concerns in children’s services about the dominance of SCRs in policy and practice debates this lack of interest and discussion may seem surprising. In this paper we explore why such reviews concerning adults are largely seen as non-contentious and frame our analysis around four different ‘prompts’; those from Parliament, from earlier SCRs, from practice analysis and from practice development. We draw on our own wider research programme on Adult SCRs and subsequently SARs. This programme of research has explored different facets of the review process and undertaken different thematic analyses by location or user group.

Investigating the voice of the young offender

2017 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 77-88 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heidi Trivasse
Keyword(s):  
Young Person ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Youth Justice ◽  
National Guidelines ◽  
Children's Services ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Children’S Services ◽  
The Individual ◽  
The Voice

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to fulfil national guidelines for greater participation of young people within Children’s Services and specifically explored young offenders’ (YOs) views and experiences of the Youth Justice Service (YJS). Design/methodology/approach Semi-structured interviews were used to gather qualitative evidence regarding the experiences of 11 YOs. The interviews were created with four subsections: demographic information, positive and negative aspects of the YJS, feelings regarding YJS involvement, and hindsight and future plans. Interview transcripts were analysed using thematic analysis. Findings Two main themes arose: how participants perceived their journey through the YJS, and the relationships participants had with both the professionals and activities. Overall, the genuineness and parental quality of the relationships between YOs and YJS workers, and the personal relevance of the work, both appeared more important than formal interventions. Practical implications Implications for YJS practice suggest the need to create a context of genuine care. This includes building a relationship with, and working collaboratively with the YO, the provision of structure and boundaries, ensuring clarity in service provision and tailoring work to the individual and the offence. Originality/value This work satisfies Children’s Services guidance to obtain the view of the young person. It evaluates work within a specific YJS and provides implications for altering the focus of this work. The outcomes offer wider implications for all YJS provisions.

Personal social services for children and families in the UK: a historical review

2017 ◽  
Vol 12 (2-3) ◽  
pp. 72-84 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roger Bullock ◽  
Roy Parker
Keyword(s):  
Social Services ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Historical Review ◽  
Children And Families ◽  
Policy And Practice ◽  
Content Type ◽  
History Of ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Political Economic ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to chart the history of personal social services for children and families in the UK and examine the factors that have influenced it. Special attention is given to changing perceptions of rights, the impact of scandals and the contribution of child development research. Design/methodology/approach Analysis of historical documents and research reports using four methods: a timeline of milestones, demarcation of distinct developmental periods, trends in policy and practice and comparisons of children’s needs and experiences at different times. Findings The evolution of services has not been linear. In policy, there have been reform and retrenchment, amalgamation and differentiation. Practice has been shaped by the emergence of new problems and the disappearance of old ones as well as by legislation, extreme events, research and finance, all occurring in specific political, moral and economic contexts. Originality/value An analysis of developments in children’s services in their political, economic, moral and research contexts.

scholarly journals Considerations in the use of local and national data for evaluating innovation in children’s social care

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Oli Preston ◽  
Rebecca Godar ◽  
Michelle Lefevre ◽  
Janet Boddy ◽  
Carlene Firmin
Keyword(s):  
Case Studies ◽  
Social Care ◽  
National Level ◽  
Children's Services ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Data Infrastructure ◽  
Related Data ◽  
Quasi Experimental ◽  
Children’S Services ◽  
The Impact

Purpose This paper aims to explore the possibilities in using such national, statutory data sets for evaluating change and the challenges of understanding service patterns and outcomes in complex cases when only a limited view can be gained using existing data. The discussion also explores how methodologies can adapt to an evaluation in these circumstances. Design/methodology/approach This paper examines the use of data routinely collected by local authorities (LAs) as part of the evaluation of innovation. Issues entailed are discussed and illustrated through two case studies of evaluations conducted by the research team within the context of children’s social care in England. Findings The quantitative analysis of LA data can play an important role in evaluating innovation but researchers will need to address challenges related to: selection of a suitable methodology; identifying appropriate comparator data; accessing data and assessing its quality; and sustaining and increasing the value of analytic work beyond the end of the research. Examples are provided of how the two case studies experienced and addressed these challenges. Research limitations/implications • Quasi-experimental methods can be beneficial tools for understanding the impact of innovation in children’s services, but researchers should also consider the complexity of children’s social care and the use of mixed and appropriate methods. • Those funding innovative practice should consider the additional burden on those working with data and the related data infrastructure if wishing to document and analyse innovation in a robust way. • Data, which may be assumed to be uniform may in fact not be when considered at a multi-area or national level, and further study of the data recording practice of social care professionals is required. Originality/value The paper discusses some common issues experienced in quasi-experimental approaches to the quantitative evaluation of children’s services, which have, until recently, been rarely used in the sector. There are important considerations, which are of relevance to researchers, service leads in children’s social care, data and performance leads and funders of innovation.

scholarly journals THE ESSENCE AND FEATURES OF SOCIAL COMMISSIONING IMPLEMENTATION IN UKRAINE

2021 ◽  
pp. 155-159
Author(s):  
Zhanna Petrochko ◽  
Nataliya Datchenko
Keyword(s):  
Social Services ◽  
Social Service ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Institutional Care ◽  
Monitoring And Evaluation ◽  
Service Needs ◽  
Research Attention ◽  
The Social ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Families With Children

Relevance of the research problematics is proved by the social demand for acceleration of social commissioning implementation in Ukraine so as to respond to the ongoing pandemic COVID-19, armed conflict in Ukraine, long lasting tradition of institutional care  for vulnerable people. The purpose of the article is to reveal the core of social commissioning linked to social work with families with children, to characterize dynamics of its implementation and development in Ukraine. Methods of research: the theoretical analysis of actual scientific sources, rated to the topic, is applied in the research together with desk review of a new international and national legislation. The methods of generalization and systematization were applied for definition of actual interpretation of “social commissioning” and its characteristics. The results of the research are as follows: The social commissioning is determined as an instrument for public regulation in the system of social service provision by means of contracting social service providers for satisfaction of social service needs identified within social service need assessment by entities of local self-government. Research attention is paid to the structure and key elements of social commissioning. Participants (сustomers, recipients and providers of social services), constituents (social character; contracting core and innovation value), and principles of social commissioning (result orientation; awareness; planning; priority to prevention and early intervention; partnership) are covered in the article. The procedural stages of social commissioning are also unpacked in the article (designing; implementation; monitoring and evaluation). Prospects for further research are the studies of barriers to the implementation of social commissioning and ways to overcome them, development and implementation of optimal algorithms for its implementation in a decentralized environment.

scholarly journals Care transitions as street-level work

2017 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 196-207 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michele Foster ◽  
Desley Harvey ◽  
Rachel Quigley ◽  
Edward Strivens
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Quality Care ◽  
Care Transitions ◽  
Front Line ◽  
Policy And Practice ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Street Level ◽  
Local Setting ◽  
Front Line Workers

Purpose Quality care transitions of older people across acute, sub-acute and primary care are critical to safety and cost, which is the reason interventions to improve practice are a priority. Yet, given the complexity of providers and services involved it is often difficult to know the types of tensions that arise in day-to-day transition work or how front-line workers will respond. To that end, this innovative study differs from the largely descriptive studies by conceptualising care transitions as street-level work in order to capture how transition practice takes shape within the complexities and dynamics of the local setting. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach Data were collected from 23 hospital health professionals and community service providers across primary, sub-acute and acute care through focus groups. A thematic analysis and interrogation of themes using street-level concepts derived three key themes. Findings The themes of risk logics and dilemmas of fragmentation make explicit both the local constraints and opportunities of care transitions and how these intersect to engender a particular logic of practice. By revealing the various discretionary tactics adopted by front-line providers, the third theme simultaneously highlights how discretionary spaces might represent both possibilities and problematics for balancing organisational and patient needs. Originality/value The study contributes to the knowledge of street-level work in health settings and specifically, the nature of transition work. Importantly, it benefits policy and practice by uncovering mechanisms that could facilitate and impede quality transitions in discrete settings.

The significance of technology as both a resource in enhancing safety, and a means of perpetrating violence: the implications for policy and practice

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandra Gendera ◽  
kylie valentine ◽  
Jan Breckenridge
Keyword(s):  
Domestic Violence ◽  
Capacity Building ◽  
Family Violence ◽  
Social Services ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
Personal Safety ◽  
Policy And Practice ◽  
Pilot Programme ◽  
Use Of Technology

There is evidence that technological devices such as personal safety alarms and security cameras can be effective in contributing to an increased sense of safety for victims of domestic and family violence, when they are provided as part of a broader programme of support. This article reports on findings from a mixed methods evaluation of a programme trialled in Queensland, Australia. The programme was funded by the Commonwealth Department of Social Services as part of the Keeping Women Safe in Their Home initiative. The trial was comprised of two components: the provision of personal safety alarms and security cameras to victims, and the resourcing of service providers to identify and respond to technology-facilitated abuse experienced by their clients. The findings from the evaluation of the trial contribute to an emerging evidence base on technology as a means to support and increase the safety of victims of violence. The findings also contribute to evidence on the capacity of the sector to respond to the use of technology to harass, monitor and stalk victims.There are benefits to clients and service providers from the innovative use of technology as part of a holistic and flexible domestic and family violence service response to meet the needs of victims, including those who wish to remain in their home. However, service providers in the trial felt less confident in supporting victims of technology-facilitated abuse. The limited uptake of strategies provided to assess and monitor technology-facilitated abuse indicates that support workers in the domestic violence sector would benefit from capacity building in this area. Better data and more research are needed to understand how technology is used to facilitate abuse and how services can implement effective responses to technology-facilitated abuse.<br />Key messages<br /><ul><li>The article reports on an evaluation of a pilot programme designed to support the use technology as a safety measure, and to respond to technology-facilitated abuse.</li><br /><li>There are benefits to clients and service providers from the inclusion of innovative uses of technology as part of a holistic, flexible service response to the needs of victims, including those who wish to remain in their home.</li><br /><li>The limited uptake of strategies to address technology-facilitated abuse in this pilot programme indicates that support workers and the domestic violence sector would benefit from capacity building in this area.</li></ul>

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